Implement Frame Tube Joint with Weldable Connector

ABSTRACT

A tube over tube joint for an implement frame includes a self-fixturing weldable connector positioned between upper and lower tubes. Standard fillet welds connect the tubes to the connector. A unitary casting can be used made from material selected to optimize load transfer between the top and bottom tubes to improve the fatigue life of the joint. The casting is self-fixturing so the top tubes can be located by simply placing in the casting on the lower tubes. A tube end connector provides fixturing and weld surfaces for butt joints in planar frames. Outwardly extended weld edges on the connector increase resistance to parallelogramming of the frame.

This application is a division of applicants' co-pending and commonlyassigned application U.S. Ser. No. 11/409,295, filed 21 Apr. 2006entitled IMPLEMENT FRAME TUBE JOINT WITH WELDABLE CONNECTOR, now U.S.Pat. No. ______.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implement framesand, more specifically to tube joints for such frames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many agricultural implement frames include tubular members welded orconnected together by brackets. The joints are subjected to very highloads and stresses.

Tube over tube connections for an implement frame construction typicallyemploy one of two methods of construction. The first method includeswelding the top and bottom tubes directly together using flare bevelwelds. The direct weld procedure requires joint welds in hard to reachpositions. If welds are required around tube corners, robotic weldingtechniques often are not used since programming the robot to closelyfollow the corners is not always possible. Fatigue and less than optimumload transfer characteristics of some joints can result in a weakenedframe. The second method of frame construction uses gusset platesvertically extending between the top and bottom tubes and welded to thetubes. The weld positioning is better using the gusset method than thedirect tube to tube weld method, but gusset weld methods often result ina joint with a lower fatigue life compared to other types of joints.

A further method involves tube through tube construction such as shownand described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,877. Suchconstruction provides excellent frame tube joints and a very strongoverall frame without need for extensive fixturing during manufacture,but such joints require laser cut apertures through tubes and arerelatively expensive to produce. In addition, welding tube ends toadjoining tubes in the same plane continues to be a source ofdifficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved framejoint for an agricultural implement frame. It is another object toprovide such a joint that overcomes most or all of the aforementionedproblems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved weldedframe joint for an implement which is stronger, subject to less fatigue,and easier to manufacture than at least most previously availableimplement frame joints. It is another object to provide such a jointwhich is self-fixturing and is easily weldable using standard filletwelds at conveniently accessed locations.

Tube over tube implement frame joints include self-.fixturing weldablecastings positioned between upper and lower tubes. Standard fillet weldsconnect the tubes to the casting at conveniently accessible locations.The material in the casting is selected to optimize load transferbetween the top and bottom tubes to improve the fatigue life of thejoint. The weldable casting can be placed at any required joint area andprovides an easy weld joint for both human and robotic welders. Sincethe casting is self fixturing, the top tubes can be located by simplyplacing in the casting without need for costly fixtures. In anotherembodiment of the invention, castings are provided at the ends of tubesto facilitate butt joint fixturing and welding for connecting tubeslying in the same plane. The above-described connections spread the weldlocations for increased resistance to parallelogramming and better loadbalancing at the joints. The connections also provide added strength andfatigue resistance at tube joints adjacent hinge locations.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the description below taken in viewof the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an agricultural implementframe.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a frame joint for the frame ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector utilized with the framejoint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connectorutilized for a tube over tube construction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 4 welded to frametube.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a frame butt joint for connecting a tubeend to an adjoining tube in generally the same plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, therein is shown an implement frame 10 havingtransversely extending tubular beam or frame tubes 12, 14 and 16connected to fore-and-aft extending tubular beam or frame tubes 18, 20,22, 24 and 26. The beams are rectangular in cross-section with roundedcorners, and a beam over beam construction is utilized to connect thetubes 12, 14 and 16 to the beams 20, 22, 24 and 26 to provide a mainframe of generally rectangular configuration. The right ends (as viewedin FIG. 1) of the beams 12-16 are connected to the inside face of thefore-and-aft beam 18. For purposes of the description, the beams 20-26are designated as lower or first beams and the beams 12-16 aredesignated as upper or second beams, but it is to be understood that thepositions can be reversed or otherwise changed and that the upper andlower designations are for providing a reference for clarity in thedescription of the drawings. Earthworking or seeding tools and hitchstructure (not shown) for towing the frame forwardly (F) through a fieldwith the tools engaging the soil. The heavy loads encountered by theimplement frame 10 during transport and field-working operations requirestrong connections at the beam joints.

To provide self-fixturing and a strong, permanent connection between theupper and lower beams, a weldable connector or casting 30 is positionedat joint locations. The casting 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes anupwardly directed channel or saddle portion 32 (FIG. 3) and a downwardlyopening channel or saddle portion 34. For a right-angle joint as shownin the figures, the saddle portion 32 includes a channel 32 c conforminggenerally to the shape of the upper beam 16 (FIG. 2) and a channel 34 cconforming generally to the shape of the lower beam 20 and perpendicularto the channel 32 c. The connector 30 can be fixed to one of the beamsand functions as a fixture to locate the other of the beams. The channelconfigurations thus provide easy and reliable set up of the framecomponents without need for additional fixturing.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 30 includes opposite pairsof bifurcated flanged or leg portions 40 having generally planar insidesurfaces 44 defining the channel 34 c. Slots 46 with arc-shaped topportions 48 separate the leg portions 40, and tapered flanges 50 projectoutwardly from the channel 34 c. The leg portions 40 extend upwardly toa connection with bottom 32 b (FIG. 3) of the saddle portion 32. Thebottom 32 b is generally open between the opposite leg portions 40.

Planar channel walls 52 extend upwardly from the bottom 32 b to definethe channel portion 32 c. The walls 52 include uppermost edges 56 havinga height approximately half the dimension of the corresponding wall ofthe beam 16. A notch 58 is centrally located in each uppermost edge andprovides a paint drainage channel. The connector 30 is fixed to theupper beam 16 or first frame tube by welds at locations 60 between thecorners of the beam. The first frame tube is welded at the centrallocations to the uppermost edges so that the first frame tube issubstantially devoid of welds adjacent corners of the tube. The legportions 40 are welded to the corresponding walls of the beam 20 atlocations 62 also offset from the beam corners.

In an alternate embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5), a connector 70 includesopposite leg portions 80 which are generally planar and define thechannel 34 c of saddle portion 34′. The leg portions 80 extend upwardlyto a connection with bottom 82 b of saddle portion 32′. The bottom 82 bis open between the leg portions 80 and connects to planar channel sidewalls 92 having top edges 96 with a central raised edge portion 98. Aside extension 100 is located outwardly of each of the side walls 92 andprovides a conveniently located edge for connecting the extension to thetop surface of the tube 20 (FIG. 5) at weld location 102. The oppositeedges of the leg portions 80 are welded at 104 to the side walls of thetube 20. The welds 104 are offset from the tube corners. The edges 96are welded at locations 106 to the upright side walls of the tube 16.The extension 100 provides a central weld location relative to theadjoining beam 20 and provides good distribution of stress at the joint.By spreading out the weld locations with the connectors as shown,resistance to parallelogramming is increased and stresses on the tubesare reduced. The joint is thus strengthened, and problems of in-planeshearing caused by frame parallelogramming are reduced or eliminated.The raised portion 98 does not require welding and provides a locatorfor the innermost portions the welds 106.

To provide butt joints for a planar frame configuration (FIG. 6), aweldable connector 132 includes a saddle portion 132 opening towards afirst beam or tube 20′. The saddle portion 132 includes leg portions 140similar in construction to the leg portions 40 described above for FIGS.2 and 3 and defining a channel 134 c for receipt on the tube 20′. Asaddle portion 144 conforms to the cut end of a second tube 16′ andincludes planar channel walls 162 with curved edges 170 which are weldedat locations 172 to opposite walls of the tube 16′. The welds at 172 areoffset inwardly from the corners of the tube 16′. Welds 174 and 176connect the leg portions 140 to the walls of the tube 20′ inwardly ofthe adjacent corners of the tube. Welds 178 secure opposite walls of thetube 16′ to upright flanges 132 b which extend between the edges 170. Ahinge receiving end 20h of the tube 20′ can receive hinge structure (notshown) for connecting one section of the implement frame to an adjoiningsection adjacent the connector 132. The above-described joint provides astrong and fatigue-resistant connection at the hinge area.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. An agricultural implement framecomprising: a first frame tube; a second frame tube; the first andsecond frame tubes having side walls connected by upper and lower walls;a weldable connector having a first receiving area opening towards thefirst frame tube and conforming to the shape of the first frame tube,the connector including an a second receiving area opening towards thesecond frame tube conforming to the shape of the second frame tube;first weld structure connecting at least one of the walls of the firstframe tube to the connector adjacent the first receiving area; secondweld structure connecting a central portion of the side walls of thesecond frame tube to the casting adjacent the upwardly opening receivingarea; and wherein the first frame tube and the second frame tube liegenerally in the same plane, and the weldable connector is secured to anend of the second frame tube and locates the end relative to the firstframe tube.
 4. The frame as set forth in claim 3 wherein the connectorcomprises a casting having a first saddle portion defining the firstreceiving area, the casting including bifurcated portions embracing thefirst frame tube.
 5. An agricultural implement frame comprising: a firstframe tube; a second frame tube; the first and second frame tubes havingside walls connected by upper and lower walls; a weldable connectorhaving a first receiving area opening towards the first frame tube andconforming to the shape of the first frame tube, the connector includingan a second receiving area opening towards the second frame tubeconforming to the shape of the second frame tube; first weld structureconnecting at least one of the walls of the first frame tube to theconnector adjacent the first receiving area; second weld structureconnecting a central portion of the side walls of the second frame tubeto the casting adjacent the upwardly opening receiving area; and whereinthe connector includes an outwardly extending flange abutting one of thewalls of the first frame tube at a location on the wall offset inwardlyfrom corners of the first frame tube, wherein the flange includes anextension edge offset outwardly from the second frame tube, and a weldconnecting the extension edge to said one of the walls of the firstframe tube and providing connector mechanical advantage to resist frameparallogramming.
 6. The frame as set forth in claim 5 wherein the firstframe tube includes corners connecting the walls, and wherein the firstframe tube is welded to the connector at a location offset inwardly fromthe corners to avoid welds at the corners.
 7. (canceled)
 8. Theimplement frame as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a side weldconnecting the sidewalls of the first frame tube to the casting adjacentthe downwardly opening receiving area.
 9. The implement frame as setforth in claim 5 wherein the first weld structure comprises a weld beadextending across a central portion of the first frame tube inwardly ofthe upright sidewalls of the first frame tube and outwardly of secondframe tube.
 10. The implement frame as set forth in claim 9 furthercomprising side weld structure connecting a central portion of theupright sidewalls of the first frame tube to the casting at locationsoffset from the top and bottom of the first frame tube.
 11. Theimplement frame as set forth in claim 8 wherein the casting comprises aunitary casting having a first channel defining the first receiving areaand a second channel extending at a right angle to the first channel anddefining the second receiving area.
 12. The implement frame as set forthin claim 11 4 wherein the saddle portion includes flanges extendingperpendicularly to the sidewalls of the first frame tube.
 13. Theimplement as set forth in claim 12 wherein the flanges define outwardlyopening flange pairs at opposed ends of the casting.
 14. An agriculturalimplement frame comprising: a lower frame tube; an upper frame tube; theupper and lower frame tubes having upright sidewalls connected by upperand lower walls; a weldable connector having a downwardly openingreceiving area conforming to the shape of the lower tube, the weldableconnector including an upwardly opening receiving area conforming to theshape of the upper tube; first weld structure connecting the top of thelower frame tube to the weldable connector adjacent the downwardlyopening receiving areas; second weld structure connecting the uprightsidewalls of the upper frame tube to the weldable connector adjacent theupwardly opening receiving area; and a side weld connecting thesidewalls of the lower frame tube to the weldable connector adjacent thedownwardly opening receiving area; and wherein the connector includes anoutwardly directed flange with an outer edge abutting the top of thefirst tube, and wherein the first weld structure includes a weldconnecting the outer edge to the top of the first frame tube at alocation outwardly of the second frame tube and providing resistance toparallelogramming.
 15. The implement frame as set forth in claim 14wherein the first weld structure comprises a weld bead extending acrossa central portion of the of the top wall of the lower frame tubeinwardly of the upright sidewalls of the lower frame tube.
 16. Theimplement frame as set forth in claim 15 further comprising side weldstructure connecting a central portion of the upright sidewalls of thelower frame tube to the weldable connector at locations offset from thetop and bottom of the lower frame tube.
 17. The implement frame as setforth in claim 14 wherein the weldable connector comprises a unitarycasting having a first channel defining the upwardly opening receivingarea and a second channel extending at a right angle to the firstchannel and defining the downwardly opening receiving area.
 18. Theimplement frame as set forth in claim 17 wherein the second channelincludes flanges extending perpendicularly to the sidewalls of the lowerframe tube, the flanges extending upwardly and connecting to firstchannel sidewalls, the first weld structure connecting a lowermostportion of the first channel sidewalls to the lower frame tube.
 19. Theimplement as set forth in claim 18 wherein the flanges define outwardlyopening flange pairs at opposed ends of the casting.
 20. (canceled) 21.An agricultural implement frame comprising: a first frame tube; a secondframe tube; the first and second frame tubes having side walls connectedtube corners by upper and lower walls; a weldable connector having afirst receiving area opening towards the first frame tube and conformingto the shape of the first frame tube, the connector including an asecond receiving area opening towards the second frame tube conformingto the shape of the second frame tube; first weld structure connectingat least one of the walls of the first frame tube to the connectoradjacent the first receiving area; second weld structure connecting acentral portion of the side walls of the second frame tube to thecasting adjacent the upwardly opening receiving area; wherein the firstframe tube and the second frame tube lie generally in the same plane,and the weldable connector is secured to an end of the second frame tubeand locates the end relative to the first frame tube; and wherein thefirst weld structure is centrally located between the tube corners andoffset from the tube corners.
 22. The implement as set forth in claim 21wherein the second receiving structure comprises planar wallsterminating in curved edges. the second weld structure extending alongthe curved edges.
 23. The implement as set forth in claim 21 wherein thefirst receiving area includes flanged legs with flanges extendingperpendicularly to the first frame tube.